Porous three-dimensional carbon foams with interconnected microchannels for high-efficiency solar-to-vapor conversion and desalination. Issue 21 (16th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qiu, Pengxiang; Liu, Fengling; Xu, Chenmin; Chen, Huan; Jiang, Fang; Li, Yang; Guo, Zhaobing
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 7:Issue 21(2019)
• Page Start: 13036
• Page End: 13042
• Publication Date: 2019-04-16
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ta00041k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Carbon foams were fabricated from wood via alkali activation for solar steam generation. Abstract : Solar-driven distillation and desalination are promising technologies for large-scale water purification. Internal micro-channels are critical for the performance of a steam generation device in consideration of thermal management and water transportation. Here, we designed novel porous three-dimensional carbon foams (CFs) with unique interconnected channels and rough surfaces via alkali activation of naturally abundant wood. Promoted by the rough surface, the CFs can harvest more than 97% of the energy of the solar spectrum. The hydrophilic interconnected micro-channels of the CFs enhance water transportation and heat localization. Benefiting from these advantages, the highest steam generation efficiency of the CFs reaches 80.1% under 1 kW m −2 . In addition, the CFs also show high stability under harsh conditions and high activity in desalination of seawater. With the unique interconnected micro-channels, this porous carbon device offers a scalable, cost-effective and efficient choice for solar steam generation.